2026-27 NHL Prospect Pool Breakdown: Tampa Bay Lightning’s Top 10

Credit: Natalie Shaver/OHL Images

Welcome back.

It’s time for Daily Faceoff’s third annual NHL Prospect Pool Breakdown, looking at the best all 32 teams have to offer. We’re highlighting the top 10 prospects for every franchise, their biggest strengths and weaknesses, and so much more.

Here are the criteria for being labeled a prospect: players generally have to have played in 50 or fewer NHL games. Players over 23 years old are not included. Goaltenders are a bit more subjective, but they must be 25 or under and have played fewer than 20 games in the past season or fewer than 30 games over their career.

Today, we’re breaking down the Tampa Bay Lightning.

You can’t say the Bolts haven’t hit the jackpot on the draft floor before.

A good chunk of the team’s core, such as Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, Anthony Cirelli, Victor Hedman, and Andrei Vasilevsky were all selected by the club. And that’s just the guys that are still here they’ve obviously had some others come through the system who had impactful careers after getting drafted by the Bolts.

But this team has been competitive for quite a while and as a result they haven’t been able to draft high in quite a long time. That’s why Tampa Bay has one of the worst prospect pools in all of hockey. Honestly, this was one of the toughest breakdowns to do because it was hard finding 10 guys to include. I appreciate that this is a team that’s willing to bet high on skill and isn’t worried about a player being too small. They’ve left some talent on the table to make those moves happen. But no team is better at developing late-round players into actual NHL prospects than the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Could that happen here? We’ll see.

Biggest Strength

There are quite a few players on this list who could fit into depth roles. The Ethan’s – Gauthier and Czata – look destined to be (good) energy guys at the next level. I like Noah Steen, and while he’s not the most physical player, he can kill plays and be annoying. These aren’t the type of forwards who take you deep, but you still need them to be competitive.

Biggest Weakness

Is it fair to just say… everything? Tampa Bay rarely drafts early, so it’s hard to build a really competitive pipeline. I can’t even blame the team’s scouts. They’re still in win-now mode. It’s just hard to get excited about much in this pipeline where it doesn’t feel like there are many true NHLers. Sam O’Reilly might be the only guy that I feel confident will have an NHL career, and he wasn’t even drafted by the team. Some teams don’t draft well; I’m not going to say Tampa Bay falls into that category. But I’m not going to get excited about the players listed below, either.

Fast Facts:

NHL GM: Julian BriseBois
Head Amateur Scout: John Riley
Senior Dir. of Player Development: J.P. Cote
AHL Affiliate: Syracuse Crunch
ECHL Affiliate: Orlando Solar Bears
Recent NHL Graduates: Dominic James, C; Jack Finley, C

TOP 10 PROSPECTS

*Sam O’Reilly (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

1. Sam O’Reilly, C, 20 (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

Acquired: Traded by the Edmonton Oilers in 2025

Not only did O’Reilly take home the Red Tilson Trophy as the OHL regular-season MVP, but he also nabbed the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award after his 17 goals and 28 points led Kitchener to the league title. O’Reilly had 28 points in as many games with London but had 43 points in his next 28 games after the trade to Kitchener. Despite that, he still isn’t known as a high-end offensive producer. Instead, he’s known for his incredible two-way play, which includes a penchant for winning every battle in his own zone. O’Reilly was a big part of Canada’s bronze medal effort, despite most expecting him to be an extra forward heading into the tournament. Now, everyone knows just how good he is, especially after winning two consecutive Memorial Cups. I can’t wait to watch him in the AHL this year.

2. Benjamin Rautiainen, C, 21 (Tappara, Liiga)

Acquired: Drafted 108th overall, fourth round in 2025

Rautiainen had one of the best seasons by a U-21 player in recent European pro hockey history with 25 goals and 77 points. I love him as a shooter, but he truly came alive as one of the most exciting playmakers outside of the NHL. He’s thinking all-offense, all-the-time, and it is exactly what the Bolts are banking on him being able to do in the NHL. I think he’ll need to be in a power-play role in the NHL to truly unlock his full potential, especially given he’s more of a perimeter player at 5-on-5. But if he could figure out the physical game and exploit the middle of the ice more, I think he’ll be able to really make it work in the NHL.

3. Ethan Gauthier, RW, 21 (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 37th overall, second round in 2023

*Ethan Gauthier (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)*

Gauthier put up the type of numbers you’d expect out of him in his first year of pro hockey with 27 points in 56 games. In a full season, he’d definitely go north of 30 – which, given he has never really been a high-end offensive threat, is fine. Instead, the real value here is Gauthier’s work ethic and serving as a two-way supporting forward. He’s usually the one retrieving pucks from along the boards and looking for his linemates, but he has a nice shot, too. Gauthier’s ceiling is probably as a third-line forward, and that’s fine. I think he’ll see some spot fourth-line duty this year.

4. Ethan Czata, C, 19 (Guelph Storm, OHL)

Acquired: Drafted 52nd overall, second round in 2025

Czata posted his second consecutive 50-plus point season in the OHL, registering a career-best 25 goals. Now off to Guelph, Czata will have an opportunity to play in the Memorial Cup for the first time in his career. I love his physical, all-out nature. He can clearly score, but I think he projects more as an annoying, do-it-all fourth-liner who gets in your way every single shift. I think Czata could play that role with Canada at the World Juniors; I liked him at the World Junior Summer Showcase, in particular. Any offense along the way is a nice extra. Pair him with a good playmaker and Czata will get things done.

5. Dylan Duke, LW, 23 (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 126th overall, fourth round in 2021

Duke just missed out on the 60-point mark in his second year of pro hockey. He also played is third career NHL game, registering just a single shot in limited ice time in April. Duke has always been productive at the lower levels so it’s not surprising to see him dominate shifts in the AHL. The NHL is a different story, though, and I’m not sure he’s rounded enough or a strong enough skater to play anything outside a scoring role. So there’s always the risk that he becomes a good AHLer only, but I’m willing to show a bit more patience here given his success everywhere he’s been.

6. Noah Steen, RW, 21 (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 199th overall, seventh round in 2024

Steen’s development has been interesting. Internationally, he seems to always show up – especially at the World Championship, where he had seven goals to help Norway win its first medal ever back in May. Domestically, though, Steen’s numbers have been underwhelming, especially after having three years of pro hockey under his belt. On one hand, he plays with a ton of skill and energy. On the other end, it feels like his playmaking leaves a lot to be desired and can be a bit one-dimensional at points. I could see Steen developing into an energy forward who can kill penalties, though, and I’m definitely cheering him on. He’s so much fun to watch when he’s at his absolute best.

7. Jayson Shaugabay, C, 21 (University of Minnesota-Duluth, NCAA)

Acquired: Drafted 115th overall, fourth round in 2023

Shaugabay was a high-end Minnesota high school player who then continued his success to the USHL. Last year, he had 43 points in 40 games while playing a key role with UMD, where he served as a high-end shot generator. The 5-foot-9 forward loves driving the play and has quick hands to boot. Unfortuantely, scouts are worried about his so-so speed and lack of physicality, which could prevent him from becoming a smaller player who makes it in an energy role. It still feels like he gets pushed around too much, forcing him to do a lot of his damage from the outside. Look for Shaugabay to turn pro after the season and play a top-six role in the AHL, though.

8. Oleg Kulebyakin, LW, 18 (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL)

Acquired: Drafted 52nd overall, second round in 2026

Kulebyakin had a big year in Halifax, recording 73 points in his rookie campaign. Many scouts were shocked the Bolts took him at 52, though, given he’s quite undersized. Obviously, that’s not something that tends to scare Tampa, but we’ll see if it pans out. The University of Massachusetts commit is a solid stickhandler who can beat you with raw skill in 1-on-1 situations. Few QMJHL players can pull off the moves he proved capable of this past year. But with lackluster skating and a reluctancy to engage physically, I’m not sure what type of player Kulebyakin will end up becoming.

9. Everett Baldwin, RHD, 19 (Providence College, NCAA)

Acquired: Drafted 151st overall, fifth round in 2025

Baldwin had an offensive explosion last year, registering 15 goals and 44 points in 62 games with the Sea Dogs. Now off to college, it’ll be interesting to see if he can continue his upward trajectory. PC will be his fifth team in teh past three years, so finding consistency has been a bit of an issue. But, fortunately, he was one of the few bright spots on an otherwise rough Saint John team last year.

10. Tomáš Královič, RHD, 20 (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 90th overall, third round in 2026

*Tomas Kralovic (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)*

Královič was an intriguing triple-overage pick this year. Originally eligible in 2023, Královič was never one to put up big numbers. But a 31-point season in the top Slovak season quickly caught the attention of scouts, leading him to get selected just two months before his 21st birthday. At 6-foot-3, Královič has a nice frame and has improved his general mobility. There’s nothing that really stands out about his game, but he can do a little bit of everything now that his shot has added a bit more oomph. I think it’ll be tough for him to continue his offensive exploits in the AHL, but I’m excited to see if he ends up becoming yet another late-round steal for the Bolts.

Other Prospects: Milo Roelens, C (23), Gabriel Szturc, C (22), Morgan Anderberg, C (18), Cooper Soller, C (17), Aiden Foster, C (19), Roman Luttsev, C (20), Joona Saarelainen, C (20), Ethan Hay, C (21), Cooper Flinton, LW (22), Joe Connor, LW (21), Jack Harvey, LW (23), Klavs Veinbergs, LW (23), Connor Kurth, RW (23), Marco Mignosa, RW (21), Hagen Burrows, RW (20), Jack Pridham, RW (20), Dyllan Gill, RD (22), Max Vilen, LD (20), Grant Spada, D (19), Jan Golicic, LD (20), Warren Clark, RD (21), Harrison Meneghin, G (21), Stepan Shurygin, G (18), Caleb Heil, G (20)